George C. Kimble aka Kimbell, Kimball

George C. Kimble (Kimbell, Kimball), 33, born 1803 (some records say abt 1810) in PA, a resident of Gonzales Texas and Lieutenant and a commanding officer of the Gonzales Rangers. He came to the DeWitt Colony in TEXAS in 1825 from NY where as a single man he received one fourth sitio of land which was on the east bank of the San Marcos River in CaldwellCo. He owned a hat factory on Water Street south of the Fort in inner Gonzales TX town together with Almeron Dickerson. On 26 Jun 1832, he married widow Prudence Nash. They had a son Charles Chester (b. 1834) (an original photo of Charles Chester is in the possession of Linda Halliburton, Luling, TX, 4th greatgranddaughter of George C. Kimble) and twin girls Jane and Amanda born in June after the death of their father in the Alamo. Twice widowed, Prudence Nash Kimble also had three children from her first marriage. Family legend says that the Kimbles lived on property in Gonzales town owned by Prudence's former husband Nash who had died from an accidental shooting in Gonzales TX . According to family historians, pregnant Prudence was washing clothes in icy creek water with 2-year old Charles Chester nearby when husband George announced the plans of the Gonzales Rangers to answer Travisâ€™ appeal for aid to the surrounded Alamo garrison in San Antonio. Among them were business partner Almeron Dickinson and his wife and child. His parting words indicated that he felt he probably would not return.

On 27 Feb 1836, he signed a document:

"Rec'd Gonzales 27th Feb. 1836 of Stephen Smith 52 lbs Coffee Being for the use of the men that has volunteered to go to Bexar to the Releaf of our Boys." G.C. Kim (signed).

An additional affidavit of 1837 verified the signature:

"This is to certify that the above is the signature of George C. Kimball he was in the habit of abbreviating his signature."

Signed by Jno. Fisher, William J. Fisher, Charles Mason and G.W. Bull in Houston 29 Apr 1837. Along with Capt. Albert Martin and John W. Smith, members of the Alamo garrison on leave in Gonzales, Lt. Kimble led the Gonzales Rangers to San Antonio de Bexar and through surrounding Mexican lines into the Alamo on 1 Mar 1836. Kimble County in southwest TX was named in honor of George Kimble's service to Texas. Charles Chester Kimble (b. 1834) was two years old when his father departed Gonzales in relief of the besieged Alamo. Alamo widow and mother of six, Prudence Nash Kimble fled with George Jr. and the other children from Gonzales east to Louisiana in the Runaway Scrape. She returned to their devasted home in Gonzales in 1837. Kimble descendants say that Charles, who was six foot two inches tall and weighed over 200 pounds, closely resembled his father who was even larger in stature. Sometime after 1847, Prudence Kimble married widower Claiborne West, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. They lived in GuadalupeCo in 1850 with assets of $3000 and nine slaves. Prudence Nash Kimble West died abt 1861 after which Claiborne West married the widow of George W. Day, Florinda McCulloch Day. West died in 1866.

From the Audited Claims Archives of the Republic of Texas is the following certificate:

THIS CERTIFICATE Entitles George C. Kimbell to pay from the date of the last payment made him to Sixth March 1836, as a Second Leiut in Captain --------------'s Company, ( ,) of Ranger [Regiment] Command by Major R.M. Williamson He entered the service on the 24th of Feby 1836. Charles Mason, Actg., Secretary of War. Houston, Mar 29 1839. C.J. Woodlief is the Attorney for Administrix Prudence Kimball.

The above is a printed certificate with the entries noted in bold italics.

Bounty and donation land grant records of Texas indicate that heirs of "George C. Kimbill" heirs received warrant 4480 for 1920 acres on 1 Dec 1838 for his service from 24 Feb to 6 Mar 1836 and having been killed in the Alamo. The land in KimbleCo was patented on 1 Jun 1846 (Pat 66 Vol. 2 Abst 375 GLO File Bexar Bty 191). Heirs of "George C. Kimbell" also received donation certificate 644 for 640 acres in KimbleCo which was patented 13 Jul 1846. (Pat 5 vol 2 abst 374 GLO file Bexar don 190).